City of Gallup Stop Alcohol Sales at Stores

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer commend the Gallup City Council’s vote on Tuesday, to temporarily stop alcohol sales at convenience stores in the city of Gallup, N.M. to help fight the spread of COVID-19. City councilors cited the need to protect transients and homeless people, who are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 through the sharing of alcohol among several people from the same bottle.

On Monday, President Nez and Vice President Lizer sent a letter to New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, requesting her assistance in putting a temporary hold on alcohol sales at gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores to reduce the risk of spreading the virus among Navajo people in the city of Gallup.

“Unfortunately, we continue to receive reports from concerned Navajo families regarding intoxicated loved ones and community members who continue to have access to alcohol sales at other business establishments such as gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Many of our Navajo citizens travel to towns bordering the Navajo Nation and sadly some for the purchase of alcohol,” wrote President Nez and Vice President Lizer.

On April 6, President Nez and Vice President Lizer issued a separate letter to Gov. Lujan Grisham with concerns over liquor stores. The leaders said they are very appreciative of the Governor’s Office for taking quick action last week to close liquor stores in the state of New Mexico, which included Sagebrush Liquors located near the Navajo Nation in McKinley County.

“Our office has received many phones calls and e-mail messages from concerned Navajo citizens regarding intoxicated family members and friends who are not practicing COVID-19 prevention measures and many of whom are being careless and potentially putting others at risk of contracting the coronavirus disease. The number one priority is the health of all people and we thank the Gallup City Council for taking a step in the right direction. We hope they also consider banning alcohol sales at grocery stores as well,” said Vice President Lizer.

The Nez-Lizer Administration thanks the City of Gallup and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for their support and partnership to address COVID-19 concerns for the benefit of Navajo people.